A weekend of genuine jeopardy awaits for several players on the DP World Tour at the Genesis Championship.
Through the opening two rounds of the final event of the regular season, the picture of who will – and who won’t – retain category 10 membership on Golf’s Global Tour is becoming clearer.
But with just seven shots separating those in a tie for first and those making the cut on the number, there is a great degree of movement possible over the final two days at Woo Jeong Hills.
While this may not compare to the riches that await those who make the DP World Tour Play-Offs, the significance is perhaps even greater for those involved.
With DP World Tour, PGA TOUR and established figures on the Race to Dubai battling for their playing rights, it promises to be a nerve-shredding weekend.
Adam Scott
Started the week: 115
Projected position (through two rounds): 108
The man in the final card spot heading into the week, Scott started the 2025 Genesis Championship in 115th place and made it a much tougher task after an opening 73 around Woo Jeong Hills Country Club. Having only arrived late on Wednesday night, Thursday had been Scott’s first experience of the course, but things went a lot better in round two.
With a four-under-par 67, the 2013 Masters Champion moved himself from outside the cut-line to a tie for 44th in the event heading into the weekend, which has made a significant impact on his chances of keeping his DP World Tour card. The former World Number One, who finished 96th on the FedEx Cup Rankings at the end of the PGA TOUR season, opened up about remaining overtly positive about his game despite struggling to find results this year.
“I played well today I thought,” Scott said on the completion of his round as he reflected on his chance to hold cards on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. “I didn’t have much preparation coming in, it was only my second look coming in. It’s tough on the greens, I had a couple three-putts today but you can’t be too hard on yourself. I felt more comfortable out there today, I’m happy to be here for the weekend, and try find a low one in there somewhere. I didn’t do too badly I don’t think, but it’s a really easy course to be a little out of position and drop a shot.
“It's great. I need a place to play so I’m happy to do that, and I still feel like I’ve got plenty of good golf in me. I think my results didn’t really show the level of play this year and there are no excuses but that’s how it feels. I think there’s golf left in me still, competing for big events, and hopefully have a great year next year.”
Aaron Cockerill
Starting position: 117
Projected position (through two rounds): 113
First task complete.
The Canadian needed to make the cut to stand a chance of moving from outside to inside the top 115 and he has done that with rounds of 69-72 over the opening two days.
With Yannik Paul, who began the week one spot above him, missing the cut and Clément Sordet unable to affect matters, his chances are further boosted. Based on the points on offer at the $4m season finale, finishing 63rd or above could be all that is needed.
At one under, he is in a share of 44th and will know a similar performance from his first two rounds should be enough to ensure he is on the right side of the line.
Jordan Gumberg
Starting position: 127
Projected position (through two rounds): 121
The American – a winner on the DP World Tour last year in South Africa – came into the week needing something close to his season’s best.
Without a top ten on the 2025 Race to Dubai, the 30-year-old knew he needed to finish 14th or better in Korea to claim the required points to have a chance to climb into the top 115 on the Rankings.
Having played in every event of the Back 9 – and for that matter all but one event for which he was exempt this season – it would be easy to suggest fatigue may mean his race was run but he has given himself a chance heading into the weekend with rounds of 70-69 meaning he is in a tie for 22nd at the halfway point.
Trailing the halfway leaders by three shots means there is every reason for him to have hope.
Thomas Detry
Started the week: 129
Projected position (through two rounds) 124
The Belgian arrived at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club 129th in the season-long standings, with a goal of not only keeping his card but making it to the DP World Tour Play-Offs, conscious that only a runner-up finish or victory could make that a reality. An opening 68 edged him up to a provisional 120th and a share of 11th on the leaderboard but a level par 71 on Friday dropped him down to a share of 22nd, and his provisional ranking dropped to 124th. The 32-year-old, who finished 44th on the FedEx Cup Ranking on the PGA TOUR this year thanks to victory Stateside at the WM Phoenix Open, has struggled to make his weeks count on the DP World Tour this season, with a best of tied 12th at the Amgen Irish Open. Currently three behind the leaders, Detry has it all to do over the weekend, but is in a strong position as he vies to keep status on Tour for a tenth consecutive season.
"I've never lost my card anywhere so keeping my card out here, this is the tour where I started, this is where I love playing as well," he told the DP World Tour's Green Room on Thursday.
"Unfortunately with the nature of the golf ecosystem right now it's not easy to do it all but my goal is to be in Abu Dhabi in two weeks' time, that's really my goal. I played Abu Dhabi last year, it's such a great event, the course is incredible. I'm not really thinking about my card to be honest, I'm just thinking about Abu Dhabi. If (winning) is what I need to do to be in Abu Dhabi then I guess winning is what's in the back of my mind. I don't really think about winning, I just sort of think about having a good week.
"I haven't really had the best second part of the year in a way but the driver seems to be behaving again, the putter as well, so why not this week?"
